Drinking and Parental Consent

[Catholic90]

stringbean,

even if they found out, they would not stop paying for my education! so it seems to me that it might be a bit excessive to pay for it myself if i want to drink, in countries where it is legal.

it is almost as if my parents dont/wont understand that it is legal, either. when they found out my group was going on a wine tasting tour, they said "don’t your professors know that they are taking a group of minors!?!

what i need to know is simply if drinking here would be sinful. not questionable judgment, but sinful.

It would not be sinful. It is legal according to the laws of that country. You are not a minor at age 20.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Then tell your parents it’s legal and if they have any questions to talk to your professors. I’m all for you drinking (with temperance) but you should really clear it up with your parents. No it’s sinful to drink. Getting yourself wasting is. Heck I am(God willing) will be going to a wine tasting in France next year. Even in the U.S. many states allow for minors to drink with consent of parents or they have no specific law against minors and consumption of alcohol but just possession and purchasing.

 

[Tartini]

You bring up an interesting topic, as I once found myself just in the position where you are now. That was in 1983, and I was going to perform with a youth orchestra in Europe as a violinist. At that time, I had never had alcohol before, and it was restricted in my protestant house, after my father was forced to leave home. Mother was aware of the dangers of too much drinking, and it’s violent consequences that can ensue, and this is the ultimate reason for this tragic separation. But not to digress, I drank wine and champagne, which wasn’t really any big deal, except for possible peer pressure that was not outwardly evident, but existed as a “rite of passage”. This is absolutely normal in all respects of what is to be expected in today’s society. I noted the change that occurred and I have to admit, I enjoyed the feeling. It was that first drink that opened a door that should have remained closed, but that didn’t seem to be God’s Plan. But let me cut to the chase, as there is a darker sky just approaching in this story. During my college years, I drank mostly beer and whisky, acted much likes a sailor on leave, and had the resources to do so. It was at this time that God chose to call me to the Catholic Church, and this was probably my saving grace, as I shall explain later. Nonetheless, some of the embarrassing situations that one can get into, not to mention troubles, are too numerous to mention on this post. Alcohol is an unpredictable thing, no matter what age you are. After college, I became a professional violinist/fiddle player where, due to the venues (some were good, some were downright evil) that I performed at, there was much alcohol consumed without reserve. At this time I lived, day in a day out, inebriated and continuing so for 20 years. Of course there was the occasional “dry out “ period, which I knew was necessary in order to vainly attempt to remain healthy. It is like putting a poisonous serpent in a canvas bag without sealing the bag: it will ultimately get loose and bite you again, one just doesn’t know when. In 1997, God had decided to put the brakes on a situation that ultimately would be the ruin of my soul and blessed me with a sickness and mental depression of great weight, that to this day disallows me to be involved with the public. He did not take away my talent, as I still can play and compose, as I feel He wants me to. In retrospect, it (the sickness) is not a curse of some sort, but rather a Holy Blessing. He knew I was tired and sick of being sick and it was His Infinite Mercy that I was surly saved from certain perdition. I am glad to say I have been sober for 2 years, to date. But this struggle does not end just by practicing sobriety. There are still issues that have to be addressed every day. It goes deeper into the understanding that nothing in the world is “evil” and that God has given us these things to enjoy. When we abuse the gifts of God we are asking for trouble, although one may not see it at the beginning. Jesus Christ and Mary would often be my only strength, and preserved me, more times than I can count, against serious offenses and incarceration, and in the most dangerous of predicaments, during those long, chaotic years. Don’t take me wrong in my accounts here. There were good time and bad, but God did allow me to do what I loved to do and make a decent living at it. Not many people can profess this. It was, now I see looking back, a great holy lesson. It was the sort of thing that happened to St. Augustine, which undoubtedly made him the person he was to become, fashioned by the Hand of God in His Own Time and Pleasure. This Holy Love never stops, never lessens, even when one feels that all is fine. It is our human nature to call on God to help us, when in reality, He is always helping and knows the deepest recesses of your heart, and your desires. I thank God every chance I get that He preserved me, even though I am often not well today, at least I came out with my soul intact. It could have certainly been worse, but God always takes even the most seemingly hopeless of situations and turns them into something good; It is the ultimate learning experience that one will never learn by a professor, or anyone else for that matter. It is the beginning of True Wisdom, which is the fear of God, and it was, strangely enough, the thing I prayed for countless times during those dark days. I shall keep you in my prayers. Be vigilant of the enemy and he will resist you. Pray that you make good choices, but if you make a mistake, don’t torture yourself and take it as a lesson well learned. Enjoy the gift of life that God has granted you, and always, without wavering, be confident in the faith that all God does, He does for a reason unbeknown to us. Give all to God and He will give All to you. God Bless You.
Jerald Franklin Archer

 

[Mangaartist]

Just something I’d like to add: If you’re a citizen of a certain country and you’re visiting an other country, you’re obliged to obey to both the laws of your country of citizenship AND your host country.